Nicola Soares on workforce development
From "Out of the Trenches" podcast episode # 378: Nicola Soares · · Dana Goodier
“Our definition of education is workforce development. I believe that our role is an essential service that helps distribute talent to any school of any size, supporting student achievement and outcomes.”
On , Nicola Soares, Senior Vice President & President of Kelly Education at KELLY SERVICES INC -CL A, spoke about workforce development during "Out of the Trenches" podcast episode # 378: Nicola Soares on Dana Goodier.
About Nicola Soares
Nicola Soares, president of Kelly Education, has continued to speak publicly about the teacher shortage and the role of staffing in education. In podcast appearances throughout 2025, she described the demand for substitute teachers as being at an "all-time high" and characterized the teacher shortage as a "national crisis." Soares stated that the shortage was underway prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and has since intensified, noting that in some states, entry-level teacher salaries are around $35,000 while many teachers carry significant student loan debt. She has advocated for reimagining teaching as a "sustainable, highly respected career path" with competitive pay, clear advancement opportunities, and investment in teacher well-being. Soares has also discussed the expansion of Kelly Education's services, which now include placing specialized talent such as adjunct professors, tutors, therapists, and nurses in academic settings from early childhood through higher education. She noted that the company recently acquired the executive search agency Greenwood Asher and Associates. Soares serves as the executive sponsor for Kelly's Leadership and Action Program and the Kelly Latinx Affinity Group. She has encouraged those interested in substitute teaching to visit the website wakeupand.com for more information.